Toyin Akinniyi

Vice President, Africa at Luminate

<p>Toyin Akinniyi is a leader and expert in the philanthropy and social development sectors. With 18 years of experience spanning diverse roles, including leadership, strategy, media development, programme management, communications, civic engagement, research and advocacy, monitoring, evaluation and learning, Toyin has made significant impacts in the various areas she has worked. Currently Vice President, Africa at Luminate, Toyin drives Luminate’s efforts in the continent to ensure everyone actively participates in the decisions that shape their future</p>

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Tomiwa Aladekomo

CEO, Big Cabal Media

<p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>Tomiwa Aladekomo is the Chief Executive Officer at Big Cabal Media, a leading digital media company in Nigeria, where he oversees the development and business operations of TechCabal and Zikoko – two of the most prominent online platforms for Technology and youth-focused content in the country. At Big Cabal Media, Tomiwa is instrumental in building the next generation of African media brands, and developing compelling original content that capture the essence of African stories.</span></p> <p><br/></p> <p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>An experienced business executive, Tomiwa Aladekomo has built a wealth of experience working extensively in the media and marketing industry across Nigeria and North America. He has successfully led Big Cabal Media through a transformative journey that has positioned it as one of the most exciting new media companies in Africa.</span></p>

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Anita Eboigbe

COO, Big Cabal Media

<p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>Anita Eboigbe is the Chief Operating Officer of Big Cabal Media, publishers of TechCabal and Zikoko. She is communications expert, researcher, journalist and media business operator.</span></p> <p><br/></p> <p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>Anita is actively committed to growing the African media industry through research for business development and guiding execution. Her work focuses on improving the industry by creating workable roadmaps and leading strategic direction.</span></p>

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Rotimi Olawale

Executive Director, YouthHubAfrica

<p><p> <span style=”font-weight: 400″>Rotimi Olawale is the Executive Director at YouthHubAfrica. With over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Rotimi has driven projects on youth development, education, gender equality, and Human Rights issues across Africa.</span></p><br /> <p> <span style=”font-weight: 400″>Rotimi has also published several articles and case studies about youth empowerment and regional integration in Africa and has been recognised by the Malala Fund as an education Champion for his work in campaigning for children’s rights in Nigeria.</span></p></p>

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Amina Salaudeen

Women’s Rights & Safety Officer TechHerNG

<p><span style=”font-weight: 400″><p> Amina Salaudeen works at the intersection of women, youth, technology, and digital policymaking. For half a decade, she has collaborated with government and relevant stakeholders to advocate for stronger protections against online harms. She has trained thousands of women and girls on online safety and digital rights, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to navigate digital spaces securely. </p><br /> <br/></span></p> <p><p> <span style=”font-weight: 400″>Currently serving as Women’s Rights & Safety Officer at TechHer, </span><span style=”font-weight: 400″>she leads the organisation’s efforts on online gender-based violence (OGBV) and digital safety for young women and girls in Nigeria.</span></p></p>

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Titilope Fadare

Assistant Production Editor at Science Development Network, Sub-Saharan Africa (English)

<p>Titilope Fadare is a journalist with a passion for Solutions, Multimedia Journalism and Generative Artificial Intelligence.</p> <p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>With over nine years of experience practising journalism, she has authored gender, climate crisis and development stories that have led to impactful changes in Nigerian communities. </span></p> <p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>She emerged as the winner of the Reporter Her 2023 Awards, runner-up in the 2021 Female Reporters Leadership Programme of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, and shortlisted in the 2021 PwC Media awards, and more.</span></p> <p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>Titilope currently serves as Assistant Production Editor at Science Development Network, Sub-Saharan Africa (English).  </span></p> <p> </p>

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Busola Ajibola

Deputy Director, CJID

<p><span style=”font-weight: 400″> Busola Ajibola is a seasoned media professional and the Deputy Director of the Journalism Programme at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). With more than a decade of experience as a Philosophy educator and a media professional, she has actively contributed to research on the interface of media freedom and technology, democratic participation, gender and climate change, and gender-based violence.</span></p> <p><br/></p> <p><br/></p> <p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>Busola has also driven the implementation of multi-million-funded accountability and media development initiatives in West Africa. Her expertise extends to various areas, allowing her to make significant impacts in advocating for social justice, the fundamental principles of media freedom and independence, and gender equality. She has supported the training of over 1000 journalists across Africa and contributed to grant-making processes to support investigative journalism for African newsrooms.</span></p>

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Samad Uthman

Digital Investigative Journalist, AFP.

<p>Samad Uthman is a Nigerian-based journalist with years of experience in multimedia, data and investigative journalism. He holds a BA in English and Literary Studies from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife in Nigeria. Currently, he works as a digital investigative journalist with AFP.</p> <p><br/></p> <p>Samad has won multiple awards, including the 2021 West African Journalist of the Year for his investigative piece on the botched Pfizer Kano antibiotic trial, which highlighted ethical violations in a clinical trial conducted by a pharmaceutical firm in Nigeria. He is also a 2024 alumnus of the US State Department’s International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP).</p>

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Ope Adetayo

Nigeria Correspondent, Reuters

<p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>Ope Adetayo is Nigeria Correspondent at Reuters. Based in Abuja, he covers politics, security, development, ECOWAS and general news. Before joining Reuters in 2024, he reported for Al Jazeera, The Washington Post, Guardian, and many others.</span></p>

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Mahmud Jafaar

Senior Analyst, Gatefield

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Chioma Iruke

Fact checker, CDD

<p>Chioma Iruke is a disinformation analyst and researcher dedicated to combating information disorder in Africa. She specialises in media literacy, misinformation monitoring, and the adoption of open-source tools. Her work spans research, journalism, and policy advocacy, focusing on the impact of misinformation on marginalised groups and political discourse.</p>

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Gbemisola Adebowale

Fact checker, CDD

<p>Gbemisola Adebowale is a fact-checker at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), where she monitors emerging trends and combats disinformation in Nigerian politics.</p> <p></p> <p>A legal practitioner with interests in research, politics, and community development, Gbemisola has worked in diverse roles in these fields, including as a researcher at the National Assembly and as a Policy Roundtable resource person, simplifying government policies for the general public’s comprehension.</p>

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Osaruonamen Ibizugbe

Project Officer, Media in Gender, CJID

<p>Osaruonamen Ibizugbe is a media communications and gender expert who has deployed her diverse roles in the media as a tool to support the growth of innovative entrepreneurial ideas, drive advocacy for youth and women development and more.</p> <p></p> <p>With over eight years of media experience and a passion for advocating against GBV, she has participated in the implementation of capacity-building projects for over 100 journalists and media professionals to empower GBV survivors.</p> <p></p> <p>Osaruonamen currently serves as Project Officer, Media in Gender at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), where she drives the organisation’s gender efforts..</p>

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Zubaida Baba Ibrahim

Sub Editor, Nigeria Health Watch

<p>Zubaida Baba Ibrahim is a passionate journalist dedicated to telling stories that flip the narrative. With almost a decade of experience in the industry, she has had the privilege of garnering experience in both broadcasting and online print.</p> <p></p> <p>Her works have been recognised with exceptional honours, including the 2023 Report Women Fellowship by the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism, The New Humanitarian’s first Reporting Fellowship, and being long-listed for the 2024 One World Media Award!</p> <p></p> <p>She currently serves as Sub Editor at the Nigeria Health Watch</p>

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Chigozie Victor

Senior Editor, Zikoko Citizen

<p><p> Chigozie Victor is a journalist and media professional with years of experience telling the stories of underrepresented groups, including women and People With Disabilities.</p></p> <p><br/></p> <p><p><span style=”font-weight: 400″>Currently serving as the Senior Editor at Zikoko Citizen, Chigozie curates the vertical’s content, ensuring that Nigeria’s youth are well-informed and equipped to take part in the conversations that shape their future.</p></span></p>

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